Arrogant Aussies out of form and over-rated
Robert Craddock writes in the Courier Mail about the poor attitude from the Australians during the defeat in Perth.
Peter English
25-Feb-2013
Robert Craddock writes in the Courier Mail about the poor attitude from the Australians during the defeat in Perth.
The message booming out to Australia after losing the unloseable Test match is that some key players are overrated, lacking form or too arrogant for their own good. And some, like captain Ricky Ponting, need to have a look at themselves and the damage that negative body language can do when the team has been driven on to the back foot.
South Africa were simply magnificent. On previous tours we have mocked and criticised them for being chokers and underachievers ... and they come out and make fools of the ghouls by producing a victory to rate with any ever achieved on Australian soil.
In the Daily Telegraph Craddock says only eight players have safe spots for the Ashes tour.
The Australian’s Peter Lalor looks at the plight of Brett Lee, who will be in the squad for Melbourne, but his place in the XI now seems under threat.
In the same paper Mike Coward rejoices over South Africa’s win.
What joy. What pure joy. This was a Test match for the ages; one that surely convinced even the non-believers that the pure game is beyond compare.
In Daily News and Analysis, Ayaz Memon says the classic chases at Perth and Chennai have boosted Test cricket to such heights that Twenty20 is made to look tepid.
What has clearly changed is the mindset of players. Modern cricket, and especially in this millennium, is being defined more by adventurism and opportunism than conservatism.
The Sydney Morning Herald’s Peter Roebuck hails South Africa’s victory as the country’s greatest.
Peter English is former Australasia editor of ESPNcricinfo